Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/78488
the idea of creating a usable space below the first floor has been around since people decided to store their cows there. Today's homeowners, however, have come a long way from the dirt floors of days gone by and even further from the mildewed orange shag carpets of the not too distant past. The sky's the limit for basement renovations that transform hidden spaces into fun, relaxing rooms for the family to entertain themselves and guests. No orange carpet, no lingering aroma of mildew, and no gloomy dark dungeons need apply. Start with a Daydream Let your space and your hobbies guide your decision-making process. Jan Gleysteen of Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc. says that, "typically basement renovations have a pretty repetitive pro- gram. People are looking for the typical, but also the unusual, like the yoga studio. " Movie aficionados might enjoy a media room, large families would benefit from a playroom, and those with a smaller space might like a room that combines the two, plus maybe a place to put the weights and the treadmill. From wine cellars to billiards rooms to yoga studios, the basement offers a flexibility of space that the first and second floors might not. Consider young children and plan to put up doors on danger zones like home gyms or workshops. Ed Loughran of Charles River Wine Cellars says that wine cellars are increasingly popular in basement renovations. Walls can be finished with cut stone veneer to give the feel of a very old space. Larger wine rooms can have tasting tables with stools. Smaller rooms, without the space for true built-ins, can utilize a row of Sub-Zero fridges that look built-in to keep the pick of the day the perfect temperature. Brian Gibson of Elite Media Solutions describes a large basement build-out his company recently worked on with Charles River Wine Cellars. The basement was transformed into a beautiful, dedicated home theater, an exercise area, and a fabulous multi-level wine cellar com- plete with a tasting room. Elite Media installed an automation system to control not only the home theater, but all other environmental aspects including lighting, HVAC, music, video, and wine cellar management. DAWN DELLASANTA-SWANN writer THAT 41 fall 2012 | WellesleyWeston Magazine COURTESY OF JAN GLEYSTEEN ARCHITECTS , INC./PHO T O B Y RICHARD MANDELKO RN